Purposes — Us Code Code § 40101

Us Code Code § 40101 — Purposes. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 40101. Purposes

The purposes of this part are to—

(1) establish a nondiscriminatory regulatory process for the common carriage of goods by water in the foreign commerce of the United States with a minimum of government intervention and regulatory costs;

(2) ensure an efficient, competitive, and economical transportation system in the ocean commerce of the United States;

(3) encourage the development of an economically sound and efficient liner fleet of vessels of the United States capable of meeting national security needs and supporting commerce; and

(4) promote the growth and development of United States exports through a competitive and efficient system for the carriage of goods by water in the foreign commerce of the United States, and by placing a greater reliance on the marketplace.

(Pub. L. 109–304, §7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1523; Pub. L. 117–146, §2, June 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 1272.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
40101 46 App.:1701. Pub. L. 98–237, §2, Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 67; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, §101, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1902.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Par. (2). Pub. L. 117–146, §2(1), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "provide an efficient and economic transportation system in the ocean commerce of the United States that is, insofar as possible, in harmony with, and responsive to, international shipping practices;".

Par. (3). Pub. L. 117–146, §2(2), inserted "and supporting commerce" after "needs".

Par. (4). Pub. L. 117–146, §2(3), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: "promote the growth and development of United States exports through competitive and efficient ocean transportation and by placing a greater reliance on the marketplace."


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effects on Certain Agreements and Contracts

Pub. L. 98–237, §20(d), Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 90; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, §117(1), Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1914, provided that: "All agreements, contracts, modifications, licenses, and exemptions previously issued, approved, or effective under the Shipping Act, 1916 [former 46 U.S.C. App. 801 et seq., see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of this title], or the Shipping Act of 1984 [former 46 U.S.C. App. 1701 et seq., see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of this title], shall continue in force and effect as if issued or effective under this Act, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 [Pub. L. 105–258, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1902], and all new agreements, contracts, and modifications to existing, pending, or new contracts or agreements shall be considered under this Act, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998."

About This Section

46 U.S.C. § 40101 is part of Title 46 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 46 U.S.C. § 40101. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official United States Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 40101?

The text above is transcribed from the United States Code, the codified statutes of Us Code. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does United States Code § 40101 address?

It addresses "Purposes". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is United States Code § 40101 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Us Code source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Us Code law to your facts requires a licensed Us Code attorney who can review the specifics.